In a surprising turn of events, the United States aligned twice with Russia in United Nations votes marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, signaling a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to the conflict.
Initially, the US, along with countries like North Korea and Belarus, opposed a European-proposed resolution condemning Moscow’s actions and expressing support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Subsequently, the US put forth and supported a resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an end to the conflict without any direct criticism of Russia.
Although the Security Council passed the resolution, key US allies such as the UK and France abstained as their attempts to alter the language were vetoed.
These UN resolutions coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the White House to address differences with President Donald Trump regarding the war. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also scheduled to meet with the American leader soon.
The Trump administration’s actions have reshaped the transatlantic alliance by favoring Moscow and raising doubts about America’s commitment to European security.
The divide became apparent at the UNGA as US diplomats presented a limited resolution mourning the loss of life in the “Russia-Ukraine conflict,” while European diplomats proposed a more comprehensive text blaming Russia for the invasion and backing Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa emphasized the need to condemn and discredit aggression rather than reward it.
Despite members backing the European resolution, the US surprisingly voted against it, aligning with Russia, Israel, and other countries, prompting criticism from US lawmakers and officials.
The rift between the US and European allies was further highlighted at the UN Security Council, where the US resolution passed with limited support and abstentions from key allies who refrained from criticizing Russia.
The US envoy to the UN, Dorothy Camille Shea, described the resolution as a forward-looking statement aimed at ending the conflict.
This divergence between the US and its European partners has been especially evident since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the Security Council remains deadlocked due to Russia’s veto power, making the UNGA the primary arena for discussions on the matter.
As the global community grapples with the ongoing conflict, it is essential to note that while the resolutions put forth by the organization hold significant weight in shaping international discourse, they lack the legal enforcement power that the Security Council commands over its member states.
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